BHS wins region

Staff Reports
The Union-Recorder

Fri, May 16 2008

— It took 21 years, but the Baldwin High School girls’ track team is region champion again. The Bravettes edged Stockbridge by two points to win the title.
“Most of these girls weren’t even born [in 1987],” said BHS head coach Anderson Bentley, who will retire at the end of this season. “This was a great way to end a regular season career in track and field at Baldwin High School.”
The region championship came down to a dramatic finish, with the Bravette 4x400-meter relay team downing the defending champion Stockbridge team to clinch the title. The two teams were tied 86-86 going into the event.
Baldwin’s time of 3:56.86 set a new school record, as well.
“Pearline Walker was the glue for this to happen,” Bentley said. “She walked down the field and won for the team. No other girls’ team has ever ran that race that fast in the history of the school.”
The state qualifiers for Baldwin include:
- Pearline Walker — Long Jump region champ, 18-feet, 9-inches; 300-meter intermediate hurdles, 45.04 seconds; 4x100-meter relay team, 48.46 second; 4x400-meter relay team, 3:56.86 seconds
- Rakedia Wright — 100-meter low hurdles region runner-up, 14.93 seconds; 4x100-meter relay team; 4x400-meter relay team; high jump region champ, 5-feet, 2-inches
- Ebony Stone — Triple jump region champ, 34.05 feet; 4x100-meter relay team; 4x400-meter relay team
- Haley Marks — 4x400-meter relay team
- Jalissa Dawson — High jump region runner-up, 5-feet
- Alexia Holsey — 4x100-meter relay team alternate; 4x400-meter relay team alternate
- Lakiesha Harris — 4x100-meter relay team
Fiona Curry helped the Bravettes win a region title, finishing third in the discus.
Bentley said the 2008 region title is a far cry from where the team was several years ago.
“Four years ago we only carried three athletes to the region meet in Augusta, and only one of those qualified for the finals,” Bentley said. “Last year we were the region runner-up, and this year we won the region.”
Bentley gives credit to those who helped throughout the season.
“I must give a great deal of credit to the force that has made a difference in our program here at BHS, and that force is the Baldwin County Parks and Recreation track program,” he said. “Coach Havior, Coach Everette, Coach Holland and Coach Scott must be thanked for their full commitment and hard work toward the younger runners at the recreation department. They have and do make all the difference in our success. We are eternally grateful to all of them for the things they do.”
Bentley also thanked the parents and supporters for giving their time and efforts, including Lyndell Walker, Geraldine West, Mary Stone, Mrs. Cordy, Val Chambers and the other members of the coaching staff.
“Without these people, I don’t think it would have been possible to reach this goal,” Bentley said.
The Bravettes now have to prepare for the state meet, scheduled for the first week in May. Until then, Bentley said he is happy the way things have gone so far and he is grateful to his athletes.
“The girls say they did it for me, and I am grateful and delighted they care that much for me,” he said. “But I feel it was because of their hearts and competitive nature that made them want to win the region title that has eluded us for so long. For me, what better way to go out than winning your region championship.”